At American Stalls, we've worked on hundreds of barn projects and consulted with horse owners across the country. Time and again, we see the same mistakes — not because people don't care, but because the equestrian product market is crowded and not everything is what it claims to be. This guide is here to cut through the noise.
Below, we break down four of the most commonly purchased barn products and tell you exactly what to choose and what to leave on the shelf.
To help you choose the right products, we have compiled a list of four comparisons for commonly purchased products. In this list, we will explain which products to choose over other products.
1. Choose This: Interlocking Rubber Mats
Not That: Straight Edge Rubber Mats
Horse stall flooring might not be the most glamorous topic, but it's one of the most important decisions you'll make for your horses' comfort and health. Your horses stand on this surface for the majority of their day, it needs to be safe, clean, and supportive.
The debate often comes down to Interlocking Rubber Mats vs. Straight Edge Rubber Mats. We always recommend interlocking, and here's why:
The fit matters more than you think. Interlocking mats are designed to fit together snugly, edge to edge. That tight connection means bedding, liquids, and waste stay on top of the mat, not underneath it. With straight edge mats, even a small gap invites debris to migrate beneath the surface, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and odor that's nearly impossible to clean properly.
Curling is a real safety hazard. Over time, straight edge mats are prone to curling at the corners and edges. A curled mat edge is a tripping hazard, for horses and for the people caring for them. Interlocking mats hold their shape and stay flat, maintaining a level, stable surface year after year.
What to look for when buying:
- A minimum thickness of ¾" for adequate cushion and support
- Virgin rubber compound (not recycled) for durability and odor resistance
- Interlocking edges on all four sides for maximum stability
- Non-slip texture on the top surface
To summarize, interlocking horse stall mats prevent common issues that occur with straight-edge mats, including excessive movement and overall cleanliness.
2. Choose This: A Deep Guard Horse Stall Fan
Not That: A Traditional Box Fan
Ventilation is non-negotiable in a horse barn. Poor air quality contributes to respiratory issues, and inadequate airflow in the summer months can put horses at serious risk of heat stress. A good stall fan solves both problems, but the wrong fan creates a dangerous one of its own.
Box fans are a fire hazard. This isn't an exaggeration. The standard box fan you'd find at a hardware store is not rated for agricultural use. Its motor is not fully enclosed, and its bearings are not sealed. When dust, dirt, and organic debris, all of which are constantly circulating in a barn, accumulate inside these fans, they create friction. That friction generates heat. And in a barn full of hay and bedding, heat is the last thing you want.
We have seen the aftermath of barn fires started by box fans. It is not a risk worth taking.
What a proper stall fan looks like:
When evaluating a fan for your horse stalls, these are the criteria that matter:
- Fully enclosed motor with thermal protection, this is the most important feature. If the motor is not enclosed, the fan does not belong in a barn.
- Sealed bearings and rubber grommets protect all electrical components from dust and moisture
- Airflow rated between 1,500–2,250 CFM, enough to move air effectively without blasting dust and debris into your horses' faces and respiratory systems
- High-mount capability, the fan should be installable at a height that is completely unreachable by a horse
Our deep guard design stall fans meet every one of these standards. They're built for the barn environment, not borrowed from the garage.
3. Choose This: Properly Engineered Stall Gates
Not That: Standard Off-the-Shelf Stall Gates
Stall Gates, sometimes called stall screens, are one of the most overlooked products in the barn. They seem simple. They're just a gate, right? But a poorly made stall gate is one of the most common sources of serious barn injuries we see.
Horses are curious, powerful animals. They push against gates, weave, paw, and test barriers constantly. A gate that isn't built to withstand that daily stress won't just break, it can break in ways that trap or injure a horse.
The three standards that matter:
- Bar spacing of no more than 1 inch. Wider spacing risks a hoof, leg, or jaw becoming trapped. This is non-negotiable from a safety standpoint.
- If using mesh: 3-GA steel mesh only. Lighter mesh looks fine on installation day. It doesn't stay that way. Lower-grade mesh stretches, buckles, and can create sharp edges that lacerate.
- Steel frame tubing of at least 1" diameter. Thinner tubing bends. A bent gate doesn't latch properly, and a gate that doesn't latch is simply not a gate.
Beyond structure, consider finish. A quality stall gate should resist rust, hold up to daily hosing and cleaning, and still look beautiful years down the line. Our gates are powder-coated to meet both demands.
4. Choose This: Steel Stall Hardware
Not That: Zinc or Cheap Cast Hardware
Hardware is where barns often cut corners, and it's one of the most costly mistakes in the long run. Latches, hinges, and door hardware experience daily use, often multiple times a day, in wet and dusty conditions. Hardware that isn't rated for agricultural environments corrodes quickly, seizes up, and ultimately fails.,
What to look for:
- Stainless steel or powder-coated steel — not zinc alloy or aluminum, which corrode and weaken under barn conditions
- Smooth, tool-free operation — latches should engage and release easily even with one hand (important when your other hand is holding a lead rope)
- Bolt-through or welded mounting, not just screw-in attachments that can pull out over time
- Weight-rated hinges that match the door or gate they're supporting, undersized hinges sag, and sagging doors don't close cleanly
The right hardware is the difference between a barn that runs smoothly every day and one that becomes a constant source of small frustrations and safety risks.
Every product in your barn is a decision, and those decisions compound over time. The right choices mean a facility that is safe, functional, and frankly, a pleasure to work in. The wrong ones become problems you're managing indefinitely.
Our team at American Stalls has spent years helping clients build barns they're proud of, barns that prioritize their horses first and look exceptional as a result. If you're outfitting a new build, renovating an existing space, or simply looking to upgrade specific products, we're here to help you make the right calls.
Have questions about your barn project? Feel free to contact us at (855) 957-8255 or complete our inquiry form. We're happy to be a resource, however you need us.
